Solitude

This would be my very first Lord of the rings fanfic, I am not an avid reader of the book but I did watch 2 of the movies ( fellowship of the rings & two towers ). So pardon me if I am a wee bit off =) . I do need somebody as an editor for this fanfic, I desperately need it because I awfully suck at grammar, especially old style English. Spellcheck wouldn't do, if you are interested drop me a message in MSN ( stylin_bebe_604@hotmail.com ) . Suggestions, comments, flames are accepted, just review, I need to know if I am doing good at this, or if I'm doing a crappy job. What I will not accept is "your story sucks", I'm sorry, but I'm going to need something more than that, constructive criticism most preferred. Thank you!

Story Line: The scenario is Legolas' and Arwen's first meeting as young adults, not as children. This story takes place over a thousand years before Bilbo found the ring. I will try my best not to include other characters, and no slash. I'm sorry the idea of Legolas as a homosexual disturbs me, I'm sorry slash fans, I don't mean to be rude. I picture Legolas to be with a woman! This would be a Legolas and Arwen fanfiction.

Disclaimer:

Legolas and Arwen ain't mine ( I wish ) and the rest of the LOTR characters. They belong to J.R.R. Tolkien. Don't bother suing cuz you won't get even a cent from me! Mwahhaa.

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Part 1 : Detached



The King of Greenwood the great, Thranduil has thrown a Celebration for his son's 21st birthday and to commemorate the death of his wife. All of the respected elves that has blue blood that flows in their veins, every elf in Imladris, commoners would attend.

He remembered his wife, another celebration without her by his side. The queen of the Greenleaf household had died giving birth to the prince, leaving the grievous king with a baby pre-matured in birth. The royal couple always had problems to reproduce for the queen was always sick in health and was frail, even for an elf. Despite her weak body she was still beautiful, with her long blond hair streaming down her shoulders like a flowing river, and bright blue eyes, she was a true beauty.

The coming of the baby prince was joyous, finally an heir was to take Thranduil's glory as king of all the wood elves, but the joy of the kingdom was then shortly replaced by great sadness of the queen's untimely death.

The king casted his head down and remembered the despair and pain, of his love dying, and the thought of his young pre-matured child having the same damned fate as his mother's. Fortunately he did not loose his most priced possession, for the prince, who almost died 21 years ago has finally reached an age where a male elf would stop aging, and can be officially be called in battle to defend his country.

The monarch sighed. He was happy and proud however his son, sadly does not acquire the traits of a great king. Of course he would not admit that out- loud to the prince, it would only lower his already low self-esteem. He just. needs to communicate more, attend more council meetings and act like a royal heir like he is.

Legolas, that would be his only child and only heir's name, is an outsider inside the palace. A quiet, withdrawn, and timid character his son is, he refused to mingle with the crowd and isolated himself in his room most of the time to read books. Since he loves him so Thranduil would embrace his son and accept him.

One day Legolas would change and would learn the ways of a great monarch worthy to govern the wood elves, he hoped. for the sake of his kingdom, but also his son's happiness, he hoped that one day all the elves in Greenwood the great would bow down in the presence of their future king, love him, and respect him as their great leader instead of taunting his image when he is not around.

The prince was nowhere to be seen in the palace again, the king noted to himself. He decided to leave his son alone in his solitude, in his room, alone, in what he likes to call a prison, in contrary to his son's opinion of his chamber, which is his salvation.

'Legolas my son, I trust and believe in you, when I die in battle I hope that you will govern our lands in prosperity and peace.'

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In the other side of the palace, in the unknown forest unofficially outside the kingdom of Greenwood the great sits the Prince in one of the branches of a very tall tree. No, the isolated prince is not in his room as everybody has expected him to be. Legolas did not like celebrations, much less the noise that it emits, it hurts his sensitive elven ears instead of bringing him joy and the sense of "enjoying" himself in the company of loud and drunken elves brought horrors in his head. He brought the wooden flute to his lips and started playing a melody to soothe his muscles and his soul.

This has been a tradition to him ever since he was a child, he would play his wind instrument before his training began.

He played his music a note higher than his last tune and closed his eyes, feeling the wind that grazed his blond hair. He loved the response that the nature gave to him when he is played his music. Birds of any kind seem to perch in one of the thinner branches of the tree he was sitting on, only there to listen. The serene melody seem to not only relieve himself but also the forest. The dark gloom that hovered the trees awhile ago when he got there seemed to disappear with his hearty tune. Legolas stopped and lowered his instrument, enjoying the company of the birds around him, this was his bliss. A place where his problems seem to shift into something else that made his heart lighten.



After a moment of silence he dropped his flute and picked up his bow, and his arrows stashed behind his back. He started to run from branches to branches with his light foot, carefully, not breaking the silence of the woodlands. He ran with silent agility to the pond where insects and amphibians dwell. He hid behind the thick bushes of small trees and pulled an arrow.



He concentrated himself, and pointed his sharp arrow

To one

Small

.Bug.

Legolas flew his dart in a noiseless zoom.

He shifted his position, and dashed to where his arrow had implanted itself into.

And there it was. A big tree. His arrow. And a dead firefly at the tip of it.

He smiled in satisfaction.



The celebration at the Greenleaf household would be tonight, all of the respected and high elves would be there watching his every move. Even if Legolas hated celebrations he felt that he should not bring his father down and keep the royal family's honor high and eminent. He didn't want to disappoint his father.



He can hear the Kingdom from afar, they were getting ready for the traditional ceremony of a wood elf prince's 21st birthday. A big day for him it was, this was a day where he would get the honor he would finally deserve, and the insults that they have giving him would be taken back.

They would finally recognize him as a warrior, not a weakling that keeps himself in a room with books as his company. They thought of him as a sad, pathetic individual that is frail, a royal elf that does not deserve to be named as a prince. If only they would leave him alone and not cater to his every needs then he would show them what his true self would be.

But they have never given him a chance, only words that would bring his hopes and dreams down. He tightened his grip on his bow. He was sick and tired of being praised by people who are false, not true. When he leaves and his back is turned around against them, they would scorn the prince's pride. People treat him differently since he is an heir, he would like to be treated as equal so he can show his true self.

Legolas hated feeling invalid and helpless, and that was exactly how the servants in the palace regarded him. They look upon him like he was his mother. He felt bitter about his mother sometimes, it is she why he was treated like this, an individual who is pathetic and helpless. They say that he had qualities like a girl, and definitely not fit to be a king.

'NO.' he thought to himself. He would make an outstanding performance with his bow and arrow tonight, and please his father, please his fellow wood elves, he is going to prove that he is worthy of his title.

His accuracy with his bow and arrow are true, fast, precise and lethal. His expertise with the tip of his dagger would cut through a flesh as thick as a boar. He didn't mean to boast but it was true. He has spent most of his time outdoors in the deeper, more dangerous parts of the forests. He has encountered orcs, goblins and unknown creatures that would definitely kill an inexperienced elf. He has learned to defend himself and provoke an enemy efficiently and effectively.

He sighed, and laid himself down in a pile of leaves, after stretching his tensed muscles. He needed rest, for today he would prove to everyone that he is Legolas Greenleaf son of the great king Thranduil, and that he is worthy of his title.

He finally relaxed his muscles and committed himself to a long peaceful slumber.



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The heavy gates of GreenWood the great opened to receive the Household of Lord Elrond of Rivendell with the Lord Elrond himself entering first. King Thranduil walked down the staircase to welcome the noble family.

"Welcome to my palace Lord Elrond, I see that you have brought with you the Twin stars, and your most lovely daughter, Evenstar." The king said, greeting the lord with a courteous handshake, and regarding his children with a respectable nod for the Twin stars and a bow for the Evenstar.



"Yes, my dear king Thranduil, may I introduce you my sons Elrohir and Elladan, the Twin stars," the lord replied then stepped behind for his sons to present themselves.

"Your majesty, it is very nice to finally meet you, I have heard so many great stories about you from my father," Elrohir spoke in a voice loud and clear. Elladan bowed before the king "Your kingdom has a very lush forest, I have enjoyed the nature."

Thranduil was amused, "my, my Elrond your sons are truly amazing, already showering me with praises. Why! My head is getting bigger by the minute!" he chuckled. The lord smiled, proud of his twin sons.

"I thank you my Lord, I have raised them with great care, and presented them values to be nobles, no matter how hard it was, they are great trouble makers," he replied, cracking a mischievous chortle.

The Evenstar smiled and tried not to giggle upon her brothers who are both red from the response their father has given to the king.

Thranduil laughed at the expression of both twins, "Oh Elrond such humility even for your own sons! They look noble and are not causing trouble right now, they are fine sons my Lord, that I can see."

"Yes they are fine sons indeed, great hunter, and are experienced warriors." Elrond regarded.

The daughter of Elrond didn't seem amused, she hasn't been introduced yet and all the attention had been bestowed upon her brothers. She coughed, a sound intended for her father, she wished to be acquainted with the king.

The Rivendell lord casted a glance at his daughter who seemed to be anticipating an introduction of herself to his majesty. "Pardon me Thranduil, I haven't introduced you my daughter, Arwen, the Evenstar."

Arwen stepped in front of her brothers and curtseyed, in recognition of Thranduil's high status.

"Oh yes, The Evenstar, Elrond she is beautiful! She looks a lot like Celebrian, oh, as I grieve for my own queen, I grieve for Celebrian as well, I truly miss her."

Arwen looked at her father whose face showed immense depression and grief over her mother. "Yes, she does, my lovely Celebrian would be so proud." He changed the subject after, remembering the prince that was supposed to be celebrating his nearing recognition as an elf with high status and combat expertise on this day.

"Thranduil, where is your son? I wish to address him a joyful birthday and to bathe him with my well wishes and graces."

The Evenstar interrupted her father she wanted to meet the prince, to accompany her for most of the days, her brothers didn't show much care for Arwen and left her alone most of the time. "My Lord, I also wish to address the prince a joyful birthday, also to acquaint myself to him would be a great honor for my part."



Thranduil offered a sad smile, "unfortunately the prince is currently in his bedroom right now, it doesn't appeal to him --.errr.meeting new people from all over middle earth. He is.well.prefers to be alone. I am sorry, this may seem rude on your part, he does not mean it, he is shy. However he will accompany us for the celebration since it is for him. I hope though that he will change to be more of a friendly and socializing elf, it is not fitting for a prince, especially an heir to the throne. Anyway, I shall not say more of my problems, I hope not to burden you since you are a guest in my kingdom."

Elrond comprehended the king's dilemma with his son, "Thranduil, Legolas will not stay the way he is now forever."

"True, true, my old friend. But it saddens me. On this day is his performance in the council to prove that he can be a warrior, and I do not want to embarrass him more, what if he fails? The council will not like what they see and they will not knight him? For 21 years he had stayed in that room of his, alone and only goes out to eat. It saddens my heart." Elrond regarded him a sympathetic smile.

"In the end my friend, everything will be all right."

Arwen was puzzled, this prince of Greenwood the great, he sounded -- not princely. A prince shouldn't confine himself in his chamber, he should look for adventures, save damsels in distress! Ah, he sounded peculiar indeed.

"Father." Arwen called, interrupting their conversation. "I wish to ride outside the palace with Artemis. I hope to see more lush forest." She had grown tired of the news about the prince's behavior, she felt that she wouldn't get along with this vegetable of a royalty. She loved adventures, and riding her favorite steed.

The king was surprised, a lady with her standards should not be riding especially alone. "I shall send for riders to escort the lady."

"Your majesty, I do not mean to disrespect your decision but I shall ride alone, it is not necessary, I can wield a sword like no other. My father would know of that."

"True, my daughter can kill with a sword, but the dangers of the forest is too risky, I want a rider to escort my daughter my friend, I thank you for your hospitality and care."

"Father, I will stay inside the kingdom, and I will stay out of the forest." Arwen lied, she had intended to go out to the unknown woods. She wants an exciting adventure.

The king gave her a doubtful glance and turned his gaze to Elrond. He waved his hand to let his daughter have the little 'quest' she wants. She was always a dreamer and an explorer even as a child. Arwen gave her father a quick kiss on the cheeks and dashed off to see her horse Artemis.

The lord sighed at Thranduil, "I can never refuse her. She remind me so much of Celebrian."



The king smirked, "I can tell. But let us resume. I will get the servants to accompany you to your chambers so you can rest before the celebration begins."





-( To be continued . comments / suggestions / constructive criticisms? Feel free. Drop by a message in the Review section.

Ok this chapter may seem boring, this is just a prologue, like an introduction to Legolas.

-( Next Chapter . A scene with Arwen in the woods.

Peace.